Gozine

Black Blade Fire Mirror.
It was truly a technique that inspired awe.

Shattering a black mirror and scattering its fragments, then using them to attack the enemy.

Ru had never heard of such a technique until now.

Of course, Ru was an overwhelming genius and had fought other Sword Emperors in the past, but he hadn’t often faced techniques of such overwhelming power.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say such situations had never occurred before.

By nature, Ru was not the type to harbor hatred or malice toward others.

The three Sword Emperors, the four Sages. He had never turned his back on the Arkheim Empire either. He had simply strived to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship as the disciple of a knight captain from a fallen kingdom, eventually attaining his current level.

Recognized for this, he had risen to his current position as a Knight Captain of the North.
Like a sailor tossed about by storms, he had let life carry him where it would.

Drifting like a nomad far from the concept of settling down, he eventually found himself in the northern snowfields, where he met his wife and experienced various twists and turns in life. Yet, Ru still desired to go further.

Unfortunately, to do so.
To advance, he naturally needed power. And for that, Ru had decided to utilize Nox’s talent. He’s still just a brat?
Nox was not someone who could be dismissed with such trivial words.

Strange.

Despite the deep-seated malice lying dormant within, it never surfaced outwardly.
A monster more attuned to the stench of blood than anyone else.

Yet one who vehemently denied it more fiercely than anyone.
That was the Nox Ru saw.

“You are strong. But paradoxically, you are weak.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means you are strong on the outside but fragile within. That may eventually become your downfall. Once someone has stepped inside your circles, shaking them off is no easy task.”

Even as blood dripped from wounds on his shoulder and abdomen from Nox’s attacks, Ru wore a pleased expression.

Sometimes, stimulation was necessary.

The feeling of boredom, it gnaws at a person.
Ru was no exception.

The regret of not having met a worthy opponent for so long.
That made his encounter with Nox all the more intense.

‘But not yet.’

Ru sensed it.

Nox’s Black Blade Fire Mirror was undoubtedly a secret technique beyond the dreams of an ordinary knight. But he didn’t believe this was Nox’s limit. It was only natural.

This guy is stronger.

The Nox he envisioned was not at this level.
What if the shimmering malice buried deep within were to bloom?
He might die.

Now, he had to admit it.

Ru knew Nox possessed even more talent than he had in his youth.

And so, he also recognized the need to fight him in earnest.

This was a battle to overcome each other’s walls.

The victor would surpass the wall, while the loser would be left to chew on regret.
Until another chance to cross swords was given, the loser would be left drowning in frustration, with nothing to do but kill time in vain.

Nox listened to Ru’s words for a moment before responding.

“I, too, have thought about my circles.”

Preparing to unleash another black blade fire mirror, Nox smiled faintly as he readied to rain down sword strikes from the shattered fragments. This audacious boy showed no tension even before a figure as towering as Ru.
He seemed almost to be enjoying himself.

‘…Ru. Now I understand what his sword is. Though it’s not at a level I can cut through, figuring out how to counter it wasn’t too difficult.’

But not everyone could do it.

While activating the Black blade fire mirror with his sword, Nox attempted something new with his other hand. He began weaving magic.

A blinding white chill spread, and from it, chains of ice formed, surging toward Ru from all directions.

Clink-clink-clink!

Ru didn’t evade.
He deflected some chains with his sword.
Others, he allowed to strike him, though they inflicted no fatal wounds.

But he soon realized.

“Your goal isn’t to bind me with chains. It’s something more fundamental.. You’re spreading mana to gauge the timing of my spatial sword strikes.”

“Yes. If you’ve already noticed, then so be it. Give up now, Ru, Knight Captain. Your sword has been countered. I can now track the movement of your sword energy at any time using the chains I’ve spread.”

“That may be so. But there’s one thing you’ve overlooked.”

Ru spoke calmly.

At that moment, Nox heard a spark—a sound like flames crackling—and instinctively felt his pupils narrow.

What’s happening?

Though it didn’t take long to process, Ru was already within striking distance.

“Spatial sword arts aren’t just about firing sword energy.”

Ru, now at point-blank range, swung his sword. Nox barely managed to deflect it with Stormbringer.

‘Fast!’

Gritting his teeth, Nox steadied his breath.

Ru continued.

“The greatest strength of spatial sword arts lies in the synergy between footwork and swordsmanship. The wielder leaps through space to strike, cutting down distant enemies with sword energy. That is the truth of spatial swordsmanship.”

Nox broke into a cold sweat.

“Is it alright to reveal such an important secret?”

“Because even you wouldn’t be able to follow it.”

Fueled by competitive spirit, Nox unleashed Black Blade Falling Petals.
A swift sword technique, black flowers bloomed, forcing Ru back.

Haa… Now, the battle was nearing its climax.

Nox realized everything hinged on the final strike.
And depending on the outcome, he would also get a rough idea of whether he could reach the Aksaras Labyrinth.

No matter what, Nox maintained the same mindset.
He struggled not to lose.

I need to reverse my initial assumption.

‘Even if I don’t win, it doesn’t mean I gain nothing.’

I will win.

Suppressing that emotion, he locked eyes with Ru.

“Here I come.”

“Come.”

**********

When Ru’s sword, propelled by spatial leap, clashed with Nox’s final Black blade fire mirror.
I knew.

I lost.

It wasn’t a lack of destructive power.
Unfortunately, it came down to skill—and the absurdity of Ru’s stats. There were many reasons. Failing to fully grasp the enemy’s swordsmanship, mistakenly assuming Ru would only attack from range. But the biggest reason was simple.

Ru was a natural-born knight.

But unlike typical noble-born knights, he knew how to win.
He concealed his secret technique, revealing it at the last moment to seize victory.
With a fluid motion, he disrupted Nox’s balance—and in the end, his sword rested at Nox’s throat.

“That was fun.”

“I thought you’d admit defeat first.”

“Is there anyone here who doesn’t know I lost?”

“Hmm. I suppose not.”

“Yes. That’s how it is.”

Ru, as if doubtful, wore a regrettable expression, extended a hand to Nox.
A hand was offered to Nox, who had fallen to the ground. But there was no arrogance in the victor’s gesture, only pure respect. That made Nox all the happier.

Taking the hand, he stood up, dusting himself off.

‘This is fun. Well.’

Opportunities to spar with someone this strong were rare. Moreover, since Ru had willingly taught him, didn’t that mean their relationship was quite good?

“By the way, now that the spar is over, may I ask something? Aksaras Labyrinth… What kind of illusions does it show? I’d like to know why you’re so certain I can’t conquer it.”

“Of course. Aksaras Labyrinth. It consists of three layers. The structure descends continuously underground, and even if you conquer it, the labyrinth doesn’t clear—instead, it changes form, waiting for new challengers.”

“Like a plant that traps insects.”

“Similar.”

Cheers for the victorious Knight captain and worried shouts from Eleanor and Zitri reached them, but Nox paid no mind. It wasn’t a life-or-death duel, and this moment was more beneficial than harmful to him.

There’s no reason to be nervous.

After a moment of thought, Ru carefully chose his words.

“The illusion you’ll face on the first layer will likely be tied to the baseness and malice buried deep within you.”

“Malice…”

“Yes. I can sense it.”

Ru stepped closer, whispering in Nox’s ear.

“You harbor a distinct malice within you. A sensation akin to a demon’s… It’s chaotically intertwined. More than what the Three Dark Family possesses.”

Did he know from the start?
The immense impulse lurking deep within Nox, Devilization.

Theo had said Nox must kill himself to sever its inheritance.
Ensuring it wouldn’t be passed on.
But unfortunately.

Aksaras labyrinth wasn’t a dungeon to be abandoned so easily.
A dungeon with immense rewards—no gamer could resist that. Having survived life-and-death games multiple times, it was only natural for Nox to seek another way.

“Is there no way for me to conquer the Aksaras labyrinth?”

“Of course there is.”

“What is it?”

“There are two. Listen carefully.”

Ru paused, meeting Nox’s eyes before continuing.

“The first is to leave behind what you love most there. The labyrinth stimulates past wounds and fragments, so if new trauma takes root there, you can pass the first layer.”

“What I love?”

“A lover. Or something equivalent. Many have gained power by abandoning such things there.”

“…I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.”

What kind of nonsense is this?

Abandoning what you love? Creating new trauma to overwrite the present with the most horrific memories to clear the dungeon? What kind of person even devised such a method?

It made no sense.

Had the primal desire for strength ruined too many people?
Even in a war-torn continent, this didn’t sit right with me.

“What’s the second method?”

“Simple. But to pass the first layer, one of the two people you brought with you must help.”

In the next moment, Nox understood why Ru—who had seemed indifferent to others’ romantic affairs, had taken an interest in Nox’s love life.

In the game, the first layer had been easy—just requiring navigation and mental fortitude.
But this variable hadn’t crossed his mind because it stemmed from someone his heart leaned toward.